..................................Guppy
Other names:...........Millions fish Origin:......................Central America to Brazil Max size:..................2.5", 1.5" for males PH:............-..............7.0-8.0 Temperature:...........66-82 F. Min tank size:..........5 gallons Food:.........................Flake food, small live foods |
Guppies are perhaps the favorites of all aquarium fishes. They are peaceful, friendly, hardy, and so prolific that one pair can fill an aquarium with offspring in a short time. They are also valued for mosquito control and for live food for other fish. In aquariums, always have a majority of females.
Male guppies are forever courting. If a female remains stationary and her partner contacts her vent with his gonopodium, she is fertilized. The sperm is preserved in the female's oviduct, and so even after males are removed, a female is capable of having six or more broods. Gestation averages a month but can be much longer, depending on the time of year, health of the female, and conditions in the tank.
A pregnant female can be identified by the gravid spot (darkened area) behind her anal fin just posterior to the belly. When viewed from above, her strides appear swollen. To prepare for her delivery, keep the female in shallow (about 8 in.), aged water at 75 to 80 degrees F. Provide floating plants at least two inches thick into which the newborn can scurry, for even the mother will eat them. If other fish must be kept in the same tank, feed them heavily to suppress their hunger.
Disturbing a pregnant female may result in premature deliveries. One female may have as many as 200 babies; the average is 40 to 50, however. Young females have smaller litters. All of the newborn are about a quarter of an inch long. Feed them small meals at least three times daily.
Guppies live only about two years. Breeders have developed multitudes of fin colors and patterns. Many clubs breed what they believe are exxcellent specimens are then hold guppy shows to display them. Feed the fish a basic diet of flake food.
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